Chennai: The disabled and the elderly are finding it difficult to climb the foot overbridge at Tambaram railway station as the alternate way to get out of the station from the platform was closed from Wednesday. After getting down from EMU trains at Tambaram station, passengers have to climb up 45 steps and climb down 43 steps to get out of the station. So far, the gate near the railway mail service office was used by the disabled and the elderly to bypass the route and reach the main road easily.
Butfrom Wednesday morning, commuters were shocked to see that the gate was closed and the gap in the wall nearby was also filled so that no one can pass.This closure also happened a decade ago when the gate was closed but was subsequently opened after the differently abled urged the railway authorities to open the way.The foot overbridge was widened in late 1988 when around 10,000 passengers used the station but now the strength has increased to an average of 35,000 passengers who throng the Tambaram railway station every day.
Apart from passengers, people who have to go from West Tambaram to East Tambaram also use the foot overbridge as it is the only passage. Railway police officials told DC that the risks of anti-social elements using the alternate way was the reason behind the closure. “There are instances when people were burgled by anti-social elements who used the gate to enter and escape,” said an RPF official.
“Also, people who use the gate are often run over by trains as they cross across the tracks. This move would reduce accidents,” he added.However, passengers continue to prefer the alternate way. “We will protest against the railways if the gate is not opened. If they do not oblige, we will even move the court,” said a disabled person.
